Having bike problems in or close by Addis was always a nightmare for us as motorbike mechanics are not exactly well known in Addis!

Meeting up with an Italian guy(recommended on the HUBB), he told us that he won't be able to help us as he is leaving town on a trip the next day. However, he also knew Mohammed(we were helped by a Mohammed in Cairo as well!) who he said is a mechanic on par with him! He did say that we should watch out for being over charged, something that is common for ferenji in Ehtiopia!

How wrong he was! From 11am to 3pm these guys slogged it out, cleaning our carbs, fixing worn brake pads(seriously, they don't replace it, they use the original pad, but just stick new material on the metal bit!) and taking care of various other bits and pieces. Afterwards, these gentleman simply refused to take our money!

In Mohammed's shop they also customise old bikes for use by paraplegic people. This is something that is in great need as only people who have been in Addis will know how many disabled people there are(most getting by crawling on all fours through the mud!)! In the end, the only way we could persuade them to take our money was to tell them to use it to give discount for their disabled customers!

So, if you are ever stuck in Addis with mechanical problems, contact Mohammed on:
0911-43-83-50
However, he doesn't speak English, so contact:
Abey on 0911-72-94-91 or abeykalu *AT* yahoo *DOT* com.

Hope this is of help to someone.

Namsa.

Ps. How about a project by us bikers to get more disabled people mobile on motorbikes?!

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hi

fantastic information.
i am doing a cape to cairo run now on a 1200gs on my own.

info like that is what makes the HUBB work.

thanks again

gary

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